7 involved in recent COP heist arrested
The Department of Public Safety arrested seven individuals in connection with the Sept. 10, 2024 theft of multiple golf carts and machinery from the Coral Ocean Resort in Agingan.
According to DPS assistant chief of police and acting public information officer Simon T. Manacop, the crime was initially reported last Sept. 10 when resort management discovered that several carts along with two portable welding machines and an angle grinder were missing from the premises.
Manacop shared that after a thorough investigation led by the DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau, the stolen items were traced to suspects Aaron Cabrera and Cain Stanley Songao Fitial. The two men were found responsible for the theft and were apprehended under warrants issued by Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio last Sept. 24. Charges include theft and conspiracy to commit theft, with both men held on a $20,000 cash bail each.
A crucial breakthrough in the case came last Sept. 17 when one of the stolen golf carts was recovered. According to DPS, the discovery of the golf cart led investigators to the San Antonio residence of Anthony and Andrew Duenas, where more golf cart parts were seized. The parts were later confirmed to belong to Coral Ocean Resort, deepening the connection between the theft and the suspects.
Manacop said that in addition to Cabrera and Fitial, Anthony Duenas was charged with conspiracy to commit theft and receiving stolen property. His brother, Andrew Duenas, along with three other suspects—Brian Rios, Dino Mettao, and Terrance Cabrera—were arrested on charges of receiving stolen property. Each of these individuals face a $15,000 cash bail.
As of yesterday, authorities are still searching for an eighth suspect, Skyler Benavente, who is also facing charges of receiving stolen property. In addition, according to a testimony in court on Wednesday, Benavente is said to also have been the recipient of stolen goods in a recent case involving Shawn Reyes and Cherie Delos Santos.
DPS has urged anyone with information regarding Benavente’s whereabouts to contact the CIB at (670) 664-9042, DPS headquarters at (670) 664-9001, or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at (670) 234-7272, where they can remain anonymous.
DPS also confirmed that Fitial is also being implicated in multiple criminal activities in a separate burglary case. Fitial was arrested for his role in a burglary and theft that occurred on Aug. 20, 2024, after officers responded to a report from a female victim who discovered her apartment ransacked.
“Victim reported that her government-issued items such as a black fifth generation Apple iPad, two MacBook Air 15-inch laptops, one multi-charging port, an Epson Projector, and personal purses described as a DKNY bag, Gucci brown bag, a black backpack, and other items identified as a 29 Victoria Secret wallet, a Coach shoulder bag, a gold necklace, Nike shoes, Under Armor shoes, coin jar containing $250, her passport, a brand new wallet peach in color, and AirPods were stolen. Stolen items totaled at approximately $6,757.48.
“Investigations led to the identification of Fitial, who confessed being the person responsible for this incident.
He shared that after intensive investigation, detectives executed a search warrant last Sept. 25 at Fitial’s residence in San Antonio, where they recovered several of the stolen items.
Shortly after, Fitial was taken into custody,and is currently being held at the Department of Corrections on a $20,000 cash bail, awaiting his initial court appearance.
DPS reiterated commitment to public safety and diligence in solving these cases. They urge the public to stay safe and remain vigilant, and to report suspicious activities to authorities.
Aaron Cabrera
Andrew Duenas
Anthony Duenas
Skyler Benavente
Stanley Songao Fitial
Dino Mettao
Brian Rios
Terrance Cabrera
